Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions

The essence of all spiritual sadhanas is contained in the following instructions.
If followed systematically, they will lead you to self-realization.

1. Get up at 4 a.m. daily: This is brahmamuhurta which is extremely favourable
for meditation.

2. Asana: Sit in padma, siddha or sukha asana for japa and meditation
for half an hour, facing the east or the north. Increase the period gradually
to three hours. Do sirshasana and sarvangasana for keeping up brahmacharya
and health. Take light physical exercise such as walking, etc. regularly.
Do twenty rounds of pranayama.

4. Dietetic discipline: Take sattwic food, shuddha ahara or pure food.
Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard
and asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet, mitahara. Do not overload
the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight
in a year. Eat simple food. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food
as medicine to keep life going. An aspirant should no longer eat for enjoyment.
Give up salt and sugar for a month. You must be able to live on rice,
dal and bread without any chutney. Do not ask for extra salt or sugar.

5. Have a separate meditation room under lock and key.

6. Charity: Perform charity regularly, every month or even daily according
to your means.

8. Brahmacharya: Preserve the vital force, virya, very, very carefully.
Virya is God in motion or manifestation; it is vibhuti. Virya is all power
and all money. Virya is the essence of life, thought and intelligence.

9. Prayer shlokas: Learn by heart some prayer, shlokas or stotras and
repeat them as soon as you sit on your asana before starting japa or meditation.
This will elevate the mind quickly.

10. Satsanga: Have satsanga, company of the true. Give up bad company,
smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors entirely. Do not develop any negative
habits.

11. Fast on Ekadashi: Fast on Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the moon,
or live on milk and fruits only.

17. Do not depend on servants: Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues.

18. Self-analysis: Think of the mistakes you have committed during the
course of the day just before retiring to bed. Maintain a daily diary
and self-correction register. Do not brood over past mistakes.

19. Fulfil duties: Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment.
Never fail to fulfil your duties. Have pure conduct, sadachara.

20. Surrender to God: Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before
you go to sleep. Surrender yourself completely to God, sharanagati.